Apparatus for coating record blanks



Oct. 30, 1945. L. E. DETTLE APPARATUS FOR COATING RECORD BLANKS Filed Dec. 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l JWIN/HI I,

Filed Deo. 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inde/1110?.

Oct. 30, 1945. E. DETTLE 2,388,126

APPARATUS RoR coATING RECORD BLANKS Filed Dec. 20, 1941 5 Sheelts-Sheet 5 |I mi Gil ri i I AI V Oct. 30, 1945. l... E. DETTLE APPARATUS FOR COATING RECORD BLANKS 5 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Dec. 20, 1941 i, `G3 5) Gd A oct. 30, 1945. E, DETTLE APPARATUS ROR COATING RECORD BLANKS Filed Dec. 20. 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented ocr. 3o, 1945 UNITED N STATES PATENT oFFlcE l APPARATUS FOR COATING RECORD BLANKS Lawrence E. Dettle, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application December 20, 1941, Serial No. 423,732

4 Claims. (Cl. Sil- 46) This invention relates in general to the manufacture of record blanks adapted to receive sound recording tracks, and more particularly to an improved and novel apparatus for applying the desired sound track receiving coating of lacquer or other suitable compound to theusual disc-like record blanks or matrices.

In the manufacture of a record blank, a base portion in the form of a disc-like member of cardboard, liber, sheet metal, or anyother desired material, is coated with a well-known lacquer or other suitable compound adapted to subsequently receive sound recording impressions. One method of accomplishing this result is to mount a plurality of record blanks or matrices concentrically and in spaced relationship on a. shaft or arbor, dip the blanks edgewise to a predetermined depth into a tank containing the coating compound, rotate the blanks to cover all but their undipped central portions with the compound, and then remove the same from the tank and place them in an oven to dry or bake the coating compound thereon. Such a method and apparatus for performing the same is disclosed in the copending application for United States Letters Patent of David C. Rockola, Serial No. 382,951, filed March 12, 1941.

A principal object of the instant invention is to materially increase the production of such record blanks and reduce the time required therefor by simplifying the operations involved, performing the same automatically and eliminating all handling of the blanks during such operations, while at the same time producing a better and completely uniform product.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for alternately coating and drying or baking such disc-like members to apply a desired number of superposed coatings thereto `in a. continuous and uninterrupted process or cycle of operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for applying the desired superposed coatthe right side of a machine embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view oi a portion of the record blank conveyor mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 predominantly illustrating a record blank supporting arbor;

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 3 as seen from the right hand side thereof Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section taken substantially on the line 8 8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 'l is a detail transverse section taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig, 5;

Fig. 8 is a detail elevational -view of one of the means for guiding an arbor sprocket into engagement with its actuating chain;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the mechanism of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail longitudinal section through the rim dipping vat;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectiontaken substantially Fig. 12 is a detail plan view of the forward lefthand corner of the vat of Figs. 10 and 11; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the vat of Fig. 10.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention illustrated in the instant drawings comprises a plurality of coating-material containing dipping vats or tanks, an oven or drying means, and an endless conveyor for moving the matrices or record blanks successively through the vats to apply coatings thereto, and through the oven or drying means, after each coating has been applied, to bake 'the same there- My copending application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 400,137, iiled June 27, 1941, discloses means for expediting the assembly o f a plurality of the disc-like blanks or matrices to be coated in spaced relationship relative to each other on an arbor, and the conveyor of the instant apparatus is designed to accommodate a plurality of such arbors and the matrices or record blanks mounted upon and supported thereby. Referring particularly to Fig. 4 of the present drawings, reference number II indicates in general such an arbor, which is designed to support and facilitate the handling of a plurality of disclike record blanks or matrices I3 o1' cardboard, ilber, sheet metal, or any other desired material, and members I4 for properly spacingl the same from each other on the arbor. 'I'he arbor I I comprises a main portion having a shoulder I5 formed intermediate its ends, and a reduced portion I6 terminating in a pointed end and threaded on its outer surface adjacent thereto. 'I'he end of the at the other end oi' the arbor.

' one at each side of the machine. .31, ,starting at the upper front portion of the arbor II opposite the pointed end of the reduced portion I3 is provided with a reduced hub I3, and a. hub portion I3 of a sprocket wheel 2| is rigidly secured to the arbor II adjacent the hub I3. 'I'he disc-like members or matrices I3 and spacers I4 are mounted upon the reduced portion I3 oi the arbor and are held' rigidly against the shoulder I5 by means of a retainer member 22 which is provided with a tapped bore adapted to engage the threaded end portion of the reduced part I6 and forming a part of the arbor. The retainer member 22 terminates at its outer end in a reduced hub 23 similar to the hub portion I3 The retainer member 22 is also provided with a. roller 24 which is adapted to support the retainer end of the arbor in a manner to be later described.

The record blank or matrix supporting arbory I I is similar to that disclosed in my above identified prior application, and the reference numerals hereinbefore employed are the same as those used tc designate the same parts in said application. This prior application also discloses an assembly device for expediting the mounting upon and removal from the arbor II of the disc-like members or record blanks I3 and spacer members I4, but since such assembly device does not form an integral part of the present-invention, it will not `be described herein.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the coating material containing dipping vats of the instant invention, which will be described in detail hereinai'ter, are generally designated by reference numerals 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35, respectively, and

are horizontally disposed and secured inspacedv relationship to and supported by suitable skeleton frame members 33. The members 33 may be mounted and secured together in any desired manner to provide a suitable supporting frame for the machine. The means for moving the arbors II and the assembly of record blanks or matrices I3 carried thereby, successively to the several vats 3I to 35 comprises a pair of endless chain conveyors'31 (Figs. l, 2, and 3) disposed Each chain machine (the upper left-hand 'end of Fig. l) engages successively and meshes with a. drive sprocket 33, an adjustable ,tensioning sprocket 33, stationary idling guide sprockets 4I to 44 (Fig. 1), l45 to 5I (Fig. 2), a second driving sprocket 52 and an idling sprocket 53 (Fig. 1), another idling guide sprocket 54 and a second adjustable tensioning sprocket 55 (Fig. 2),`and idling sprockets 53 to 32 (Fig. 1) and 33 to 3,1 (Fig. 2) to guide the chain forwardly, rearwardly andback up to the first driving sprocket 33.

Each of the adjustable tensioning sprockets 33 (Fig. 1) and 55 (Fig. 2) is rotatably supported by a bearing bracket 33 mounted on the lower end of a lever 33 which is pivotally supported at 1I on one of the skeleton frame members 33. A tensioning lever 12 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends by the associated frame member 33. and at its outer end is provided with a roller 13 engagingthe associated bracket carrying lever 33. I'he remaining sprockets are rotatably supported by suitable bearing brackets mounted on the adjacent skeleton frame members 33. Referring particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the first drive sprockety 33 is rotatable by' a sprocket wheel `14 secured to the shaft thereof and driven by a chain 15 from a double sprocket wheel 13. The wheel 13 is secured t0 the shaft of a; suitable electric motor 11 of any desired construction mounted on the skeleton frame of f the machine, and a second chain 13 meshing with the sprocket wheel 13 drives a sprocket wheel 13 secured to the shaft of the second drive sprocket 52. The shafts of the sprocket wheels 33, 14 and 52, 13 at the right side of the machine (which is the side shown in elevation in Figs. 1 and-2) traverse the frame of the machine and also have the sprocket wheels 33 and 52, respectively, of the other or left-hand conveyor chain 31 secured thereto.

From Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that each` ofthe two conveyor chains 31 extends from front to rear oi' the machine at six different levels and moves in the direction of the arrows in the latter views. The linear speed of travel of the chains 31 is suiilciently slow that an arbor i I supporting 9, plurality of finished record blanks may be removed therefrom and another arbor II supporting a dierent group oi' uncoated disc-like members or matrices I3 may be substituted therefor and attached to the conveyor chains, in a manner to be described hereinafter. during the time any given portion of the chains is moving from the sprocket wheels 53 to the sprocket wheels 51. It is at this point that the cycle of operations to be performed on the matrices I3 begins. After the arbors I I are attached to the conveyor chains 31, the matrices i3 supported by each of them pass rearwardly through the first dipping vat 3I and are dried, on the second level from the bottom of the chains; are carried forwardly to the third level, passed forwardly through the second dipping vat 32 and are again dried; are carried upwardly to the fourth level by the drive sprockets 33, passed rearwardly through the third dipping vat 33 and are dried;` are carried up to the fifth level to be moved forwardly through the fourth dipping vat 34 and are again heat dried; are raised to the sixth or top level by the drive sprockets 52, in which level they may be passed rearwardly through the rim dipping vat 35 and air-dried, if desired; and then they are lowered at the rear of the machine to the ilrst level, on which they pass forwardly through the elongated main portion of the oven for a relatively slow baking, and over the sprocket wheels 53 to complete the cycle.

As shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 5, each of the endless conveyor chains 31 comprises alternate inner and outer pairs of links 3| and l2, respectively, pivotally connected by transverse pins 33 (Figs. 5 and 7) upon each of which is journaled a roller 34. The rollers 34 engage the upper surfaces of portions of the horizontal skeleton frame members which function as track-ways 35 to support the'chains 31 during their horizontal movements. Special links 33 (Figs. 3, 5, and 7) are substituted for certain of the outer links 32 at the inner side of each of the conveyor chains 31 in spaced relationship along the latter,

which are formed with inwardly extending flanges upon each of which is mounted a suitable bearing bracket 31. The outer ends of rods 33 are supported by each pair of brackets 31, with one end of each rod being secured to its associated bracket at the right-hand side of the machine by a setscrew or the like 33. The rods 33 thus extend transversely across the machine between the conveyor chains 31 at spaced intervals along the latter.

Rotatably mounted upon each of the rods 33 are a pair of arbor engaging and retaining members indicated generally by reference numeral 3|. Each of the members 3| comprises a main link having a bearing portion 32 formed at one end slot 9| of the associated member 9|.

thereof and journaled upon the associated rod 88 between a pair of collars 93 secured to the latter to limit lateral movement of the member 9| on the rod 88. The other or free end of each of these links is provided with a shaft receiving, hookslfaped recess 94. The recess 94 of each pair of associated members 9| is adapted to receive and engage either the hub portions I8 and 23 of one of the arbors II, or the hub portions 95 (Figs. 3 and 6) provided at the outer ends of idling follower members 96. Each of the latter members 98 is also provided adjacent the inner ends of its hub portions 95 with rollers 91 suitably journaled thereon for engagement with the upper surfaces of parallel track members 98. The members 9| are provided for the purpose of properly retaining the arbors I| and their supported matrices I3 in operative relationship with the conveyorchains 31. If no arbor I I is engaged by any given pair of these members 9|, however, it is necessary to prevent entanglement of the latter with other parts of the machine and also to insure presenting of the members 9| in proper position at the front of the machine to initially receive an arbor II. These functions are performed by the idling follower members 98. Since the arbors or members 98 in their movements through the machine by the conveyor chains 31 change direction and are both raised and lowered relative to the chains and by the latter, it is necessary that they be properly retained in the associated slots 94. The

means 4for performing this function comprises a latch lever 99 forming a part of each of the members 9| which is pivotally mounted thereon intermediate its ends by a suitable pin ||)I.` The lower end of each of the latch levers 99 is provided with a curved recess or slot |02 (Fig. (i)A for engagement withthe hub portions I8, 23 or 95 in cooperation with and in the opposite direction to the slots 90. At its opposite or upper end. each ofthe latch levers 99 is provided with an aperture |03 engageable by the inner end of a pin |04 extending inwardly through a suitable aperture |05 (Fig. 3) in the main link of the member 9 I. Each pin I 04 is mounted upon the lower end of a manually operable latch handle |08 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on pin |01 extending vertically through the main lever of the member 9|. At its upper end, each of the latch handles |08 is also provided with a pin |08 (Fig. 3) adapted to extend through a suitable aperture |09 in the member 9| and surrounded by a coil spring III. A spring ||2 is connected at one end by a screw II3 (Figs. 3 and 6) to the member 8| and at its other end by a screw Ill (Fig. 6)

` to the under surface of the latch lever 99.

j |08 against the action of its spring will remove the pin |00 attached to the lower end thereof from the recess |03 in the associated latch lever 99. The latter may then be raised from its normal or operative position to its release or inoperative position, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 6, whereupon the hub portion I8 or 23 of an arbor II or the hub portion 95 of an idling follower 99 may be removed from or disposed in the After any one of the latch levers 99 has been so released, it will be prevented from returning under the action of its spring |I2 to active position by engagement of the upper surface thereof with the pin |00 of the latch handle |08. Consequently, in order to replace any one of the idling follower members 98 with an arbor together with its supported matrices I3, which will be done as the portions of the chains 31 carrying the associated shaft 88 are moved between the sprockets 56 and 51, it is only necessary to release the latch levers 99 from their latch handles |06 and raise the lower ends thereof in the manner just described. The idling follower member 96 may then be lifted from the slots 94 of members 9|, the latch levers 99 being retained sufficiently in inoperative position to permit a clearance for the hub portions 95 between the lower ends of the members 9| and the latch levers 99. An arbor may then be placed in the slots 94, and inward movement of the upper ends of the latch handles |06 will then enable return of the latch levers 99 to their active positions by the springs ||2. The arbor engaged by the members 9| is thus arranged'for movement through the machine by the conveyor chains 31, and all operations which it is desired to perform upon the matrices I3 supported. thereby will be accomplished automatically in continuous sequence without necessitating any handling thereof until the arbor again reaches the initial position wherein the rod 88 supporting the members 9| engaging the same is disposed between the sprockets 58 and 51.

Separate pairs of parallel track-ways 98 are provided in each of the six levels traversed by the endless conveyor chains 31 as will be best seen from Figs. 1 and 2. Since it is desired that the matrices I3 supported by the several arborsY I I be rotated continuously during the travel along these several levels of track-ways 98, for a purpose to be later more fully described, rack means in the form of roller chains ||5 for engagement by the sprockets 2| of the arbors II are mounted upon the upper surface of each of the right-hand track-ways 98 and rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner (Figs. 3 and 4). As each arbor I| is transferred by the conveyor chains 31 and members 9| from the track-ways 98 of one level to those of a different level, means must be provided for causing proper meshing engagement of the sprocket 2| thereof with the associated roller chain I I5. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the forward or left ends of the track-ways 98 of the second and fourth level from the bottom and the rear or right ends (viewing Fig. 2) of the third and fifth levels of track-ways 98 are provided with downwardly curved portions IIS. Adjacent the joinder of these curved portions ||8 with the main .part of each of the right-hand track-ways 98 (Figs. 8 and'9) are provided a pair of rails ||1 which are secured to the upper surface of the track-ways as downward continuations of the associated roller chains II 5. Each pair of rails I1 comprises parallel main portions terminating at their lower ends in laterally flared end por tions II8. As any one of the arbors I I is carried upwardly between the rst and fifth levels of track-ways 98, it will be freely suspended from the conveyor chains 31 by the members 9|, as illustrated in the lower left-hand corner of Fig. l. Using this portion of the machine as illustrative, it will be seen that as the links of the chains 31 carrying the brackets 81, associated rod 88 and members 9| are passing over the sprocket wheel 51, the arbor II will be engaged by the curved portions 6 of the forward end of the track-ways 98 in the second level. The curved portions IIS of the left track-Way 98 will be engaged by the roller 24 of the arbor II in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. At the same time, the sprocket 2| of the arbor will be carried upwardly between the outwardly flared portions |I8 of the associated guide rails II1. If for any reason, as due to mounting of the arbor on the members 9|, the latter and the arbor II are out of proper lateral position, these flared portions |I8 will ||1. Continued upward movement of the arbor by the conveyor chains 31 will then slide the sprocket 2| between the guide rails I |1 into proper meshing engagement with the end portion of the f associated roller chain I I 5. Consequently, as 'the arbor is moved along the track-ways 98 by the conveyor chains 31, the left end thereof will be supported on the left-hand track-way 98 by the roller 24, and the right-hand end of the arbor will be supported on the right-hand track-way 98 by engagement of the sprocket 2| with the roller chain |I5. At the same time, movement of the arbor along the track-ways by the conveyor chains 31 will be accompanied by rotation of the arbor through the agency of the roller chain I and the sprocket 2| meshing therewith.

As each of the arbors is carried upwardly by the conveyor chains 31 to the uppermost trackway 98, the members 9| supporting the same will be depending vertically from the chains, as illustrated in Fig. l. The forward ends of this uppermost track-way 98 are provided with straight portions I I 9 extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom. 'I'he right-hand one of these angularly disposed portions ||9 is provided with similar guide rails ||1, II8 to insure proper engagement of the sprockets 2| with the forward end of the roller chain l I 5 thereon. As the arbors II leave the uppermost track-way 98, they will again be suspended freely from the conveyor chains 31 by the associated members 9|. In order to prevent unnecessary Swinging of the arbors I at this point. the rear ends of the uppermost track-ways 98 are provided with downwardly sloping portions |20 (Fig. 2). These portions |20 of the track-ways 98 in the uppermost level result in a gradual lowering of the arbors II to prevent a sudden dropping thereof oil* of the uppermost track-ways 98. The rear ends of the lowermost track-ways 98 are provided with downwardly curved portions I 2|, as shown in Fig. 2, which engage the arbors II as they are lowered by the conveyor chains 31 past the sprocket wheels 55 to rst move the same-rearwardly and then raise them into proper engagement with the main portions of the lowermost track-Ways 98.- The right-hand one of these curved portions,k |2I is also provided with the guide rails I| 1, |I8 to insure proper meshing engagement of the sprock ets 2| of the arbors I with the roller chain I I5.

As will beseen from Figs. 1 and 2, the several levels of track-ways 98 are so arranged that as each arbor and group of matrices i3 supported thereby is moved along the same, it is successively carried past the several dipping vats 3| to 35. In each instance, the relative arrangement between the respective vats and the track-ways 98 is such that matrices I3 of the maximum diameter to be coated will clear the upper edges of the vats at the front and rear ends thereof. Referring, particularly to Fig. 2 as illustrative of the relative track-way and vat arrangement, it will be seen that the track-ways 98 at the right side of the vat 32 extends above and inwardly from the right end wall of the vat a sumcient distance to enable the matrices carried by the arbors |I to clear the latter. The track-ways then slope downwardly to lower horizontal portions which extend parallel to the upper edge of the side walls of the vat and are joined at their other end with sloping portions, which Join the main portions of the track-ways 98 at the other` side of the vat. With this arrangement, the full surface of all of the record blanks or matrices I3 will be contacted and coatedby the lacquer or other suitable coating material |25 in the vat except for a central portion of predetermined diameter, since the matrices are rotated by the engagement of the arbor sprocket 2| with the roller chain I I5 as the same are moved along the trackways by the conveyor chains 31. The diameter of this central uncoated portion of the matrices I3 is determined by the distance between the lowermost horizontal portion of .the track-ways |23 and the liquid level of the coating material |25 in the dipping vat. Since means are provided for maintaining the liquid level of the coating material |25 constant, and since the position of the horizontal portions of the track-way remains unchanged, this uncoated central portion of the matrices I3 will have the same diameter regardless of the diameter of the particular matrices. By virtue of the arbor rotating roller chains |5 scribed above, and the meshing engagement `of matrices of maximum diameter.

therewith of the arbor sprockets 2|, each and every one of the matrices I3, regardless of the diameter thereof. will have its surfaces uniformly coated with the material |25 in the respective dipping vats.

vAs is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1, the arrangement for presenting the matrices to the rim dipping vat 3-5 is similar to -that hereinbefore described relative to the vats 3| to 34, and is best illustrated in Figs. 1 and l0. 'I'he sloping portions I I9 of the uppermost track-ways 93 com-J prise guiding approaches to downwardly sloping` portions |38 of the track-ways which lead into the rim dipping vat 35. At their lower ends, these portions |38 of the track-ways converge with horizontally disposed portions |39 extending parallel with the upper edges of the vat 35, which in turn join upwardly sloping portions |4| functioning to carry the arbors I I back up to the main part of the track-ways 98. 'I'hese portions I 38,

|39 and I4I of the uppermost level of trackways present successive groups of matrices I3 to the rim dipping vat 35 and cause proper removal thereof from the vat, and are so disposed relative to the latter as to insure clearance between the end walls thereof and the marginal edges 'I'he vat -35 is suspended` from the uppermost horizontal frame member by suitable brackets |42. Four threaded posts |43 (Figs. 10 to 13) are mounted respectively in the interior of the vat 35 adjacent the corners thereof and are secured in any suitable manner at their lower ends to the bottom of the vat. A shallow pan |44 is slidably mounted adjacent its corners on the several posts |43, and is spaced at its periphery from the inner surfaces of the vertical walls of the vat. The pan |44 is adjustably supported in spaced relationship to the bottom wall of the vat by coil springs |45 mounted upon the posts |43, and is adapted to be held in adjusted position by wing nuts |48 threaded on the posts and engaging the respective corner portions of the pan. A supply conduit |41, which may be interconnected with the previously described supply conduits |29, extends over the upper edge of the rim dipping vat 35 and is provided with a suitable control valve |48 (Fig. V13). I'he conduit |41 is connected with va flexible hose |45 extending downwardly into the vat 35 and nesting at its lower end on the pan |44. A vertical baille wall is mounted upon the bottom of the pan |44 adjacent the end of the hose |43 to cause even distribution of the rim coating compound |52 delivered to the vat 35 by the supply conduit |41 and hose |49 over the entire area of the pan |44. With this arrangement, the pan |44 will be maintained full of the rim coating compound |52, which may be the same or different from the main coating compound |25, by virtue of a continuous supply thereof in a manner -to be later more fully described. The excess. or that portion of the compound not employed in coating the rims of the matrices |3, will now over the upper edges of the pan |44 into the bottom ofthe vat 35, as shown in Figs. l0, 11 and 13, and a conduit |53 (Fig. 10) is connected with the vat 35 to drain this excess coating compound therefrom.

The above described adjustable mounting of the pan |44 in Ithe rim 4dipping vat 35 enables selective vertical positioning thereof relative to the lower horizontal portions |39 of the trackways 55 to permit variation of the extent of the portions of the matrices I3 to be coated by the compound |52. In this manner any desired marginal portion of matrices of the same or different diameters may be coated with the compound |52, and after initial setting of the position of the pan |44 in the vat, the extent of such rim coating will remain constant due to the maintaining of the liquid level at such predetermined point. If it is desired that the same compound be used for coating the rims of the matrices as is employed in the main dipping vats 3| to 34, the supply conduit |41 and the drain conduit |53 may be interconnected, respectively, with the supply conduits |29 and return conduits |35. However, if it is desired to use a coating compound having different characteristics, such as a different color, for the rim portions of the matrices. different means separate from those hereafter described may be employed for providing a continuous supply to the pan |44 in the rimdipping vat 35.

As has been previously described in general, the matrices |3 are alternately passed through a suitable oven |51 for drying or baking after each successive coating has been applied thereto. lReferring to Figs. l and 2, this oven |51 briey described is open at the front and rear of the machine and comprises a vertically disposed portion |55 located centrally of the machine and a horizontally disposed portion |53 extending for substantially the full length thereof. 'I'he oven is adapted to be heated to and maintained at a suitable temperature for drying or baking the matrices I3 by means including, for example, transversely extending heating pipes or tubes |5| and a longitudinally extending tube header duct |52 with which the tubes |6| communicate.

As eachgroup of record blanks or matrices I3 progresses through the machine, it passes from the first dipping vat 3| through the central portion |58 of the oven .|51 before being presented to the second dipping vat 32. It again travels through this central portion of the oven after receiving additional coatings in each of the dipping vats 32, 33 and 34. If the rim dipping vat 35 is to be employed, which may be considered as optional, each group of record blanks or. matrices is carried therefrom (Fig. 2) to the rear endof the lower portion |55 of the oven, through which it slowly progresses for a final baking operation before being remoyed from its associated members 9| and the conveyor chains 31 at the front of the machine. In actual practice, it takes approximately 40 minutes for any given group of coated matrices to pass through this elongated portion |59 of the oven, this being citedl merely as an illustration of the approximate speed of travel of the conveyor chains 31. When each group of coated matrices 31 completes its travel through the lower portion |59 of the oven |51, it is removed from the supporting members 9| and replaced by another group of uncoated matrices in the manner previously described, this attachment and removal of the matrix supporting arbor being the only manual handling requiredthroughout the entire process of coating the matrices.

It is thought that the invention and any of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the apparatus and in the steps of the process without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the method and apparatus hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of coating material containing means arranged at different levels in said machine, endless conveyor chains for receiving rotatable blank retaining means, means for guiding said conveyor chains for movement past all of said coating material containing means at the different levels thereof in said machine, a'plurality of track-ways for guiding movement of said blank retaining means by said conveyor chains into and out of each said coating material containing means, stationary means mounted upon said track-ways and cooperating with said blank retaining means to cause the same to be rotated as a result of movement imparted thereto by said conveyor chains, and means associated with the leading ends of said track-ways for guiding said blank retaining means into cooperative relationship with said stationary means as the former is .moved from one level to another.

2. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of coating material containing means arranged at different levels in said machine, a pair of endless conveyor chains mounted in transversely spaced parallel relationship, a plurality of transverse shafts secured to and carried in spaced relationship to each other by said conveyor chains, connecting means pivotally mounted upon each of said shafts and depending therefrom for removably carrying a blank supporting arbor, means for guiding said arbors into and out of each said coating material containing means as the said arbors are moved through the machine by said conveyor chains, and idling follower members engageable by each of said connecting means and adapted to be guided by said last means for insuring proper movement of said connecting means through the machine whenever v said arbor and conveying the same past said vat,

track-ways engageabled by said arbor for maintaining the same horizontal and guiding the movement thereof by said conveying means down into said vat, along central portions of the trackways, and up out of the vat, a pan disposed interiorly of said vat, means adiustably supporting said pan at a variable and predetermined distance from and in parallel relationship to said central portions of said track-ways, and means for maintaining said pan full o! the liquid coating material. whereby the marginal portions of the matrices mounted on said arbor will be coated with said material for a predetermined and variably adjustable radial distance.

4. .In a machine for applying coatings of liquid material to disc-like matrices co-axially mounted in spaced relationship on an arbor, the combination with matrix coating means, drying means and an endless conveyor, of means for removably securing a blank supporting arbor to said endless conveyor for movement successively into c'ooperative relationship with said material coating means and said drying means, comprising a k pivotally connected at one end to said conve or and having a slot adjacent the other end for rotatably engaging said arbor, a latch lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said link and having a slot adjacent one end in inverted relationship to the slot in said link, and means removably securing the other end of said latch lever to said link to prevent inadvertent removal of said arbor from the slot therein:

LAWRENCE E. DE'I'I'LE. 

